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Post by madmorgan on Aug 27, 2018 17:47:07 GMT
Okay, I was maybe a bit harsh about the idea, Gunny. So - you folks out there give Gunny's suggestion a try please. Let's hear how it goes and any changes/alternations to the idea that makes it more balanced. There is validity to Martians upgrading as the war wears on - especially with new 3rd and even 4th generation 'buds' and tripods/drones. Heck, I've done a CADs on that basis (Combat Advanced Drones - basically biped 'super' lobo types with each one being equal to 3 regular lobos).
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Post by scottwashburn on Aug 28, 2018 11:46:57 GMT
In my Great Martian War novels, I do allow any of the tripods to control drones. I do sort of hint that any one tripod can only control a half-dozen or so without the operator becoming somewhat distracted. The one thing about All Quiet is the idea that the Martians would make the drone controllers so obviously different and thus invite the humans to concentrate their fire against them. I mean in every game, isn't that what happens? Take out those controllers and eliminate the drones! Why would the Martians do that? Even assuming that special equipment is needed to control the drones, it could still be put in an ordinary tripod. In game terms, of course, it is probably the best way to deal with it.
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Post by boxholder on Aug 28, 2018 12:26:37 GMT
But isn't that the essence of risk-reward claculation? If drones are the big threat, the controllers need to be a big target for the defenders. The move of another tripod to take over control would be distinctive. It would mark that one as the new controller irrespective of any new antennas.
The key concept is pilot distraction. A purpose-built controller probably has two crew onboard, one for the drones and one for pilot. Having a regular tripod take over, with its single pilot, would have an increased workload. Perhaps there should be some penalty (die roll mod?) for the singlie pilot now trying to do both jobs. Perhaps there should be some delay (no move-no fire) before the drones could be used while the new pilot does nothing but re-establish the links/contacts. Having a quick, seamless transition may make them too powerful.
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Post by scottwashburn on Aug 28, 2018 14:12:47 GMT
I wouldn't recommend changing the game. It works fine as-is. The Martian player has to make the reward-risk calculation. What is the ideal controller-to-drone ratio? While it's tempting to buy 15 or 18 (or more!) drones for each Slaver, if you start losing Slavers, your drones are going to be left with no controllers. It might be far better to have a lower ratio and have the possibility of the surviving Slavers taking control of drones which have lost theirs.
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Post by madmorgan on Aug 30, 2018 10:50:31 GMT
I remain on the side of status-quo on this. See my posting today on a play-test I conducted with Gunny's order token to give controller status to assault tripods . It really opened my eyes to what my brain was telling me about the concept.
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